JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israeli forces thwarted a planned terrorist attack targeting civilians near Hebron on Friday morning, but two combat soldiers were killed in the exchange of fire, the Israel Defense Forces said.​

Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, speaking at the scene, credited the soldiers’ actions with stopping what he described as a grave attack. “This morning, a grave terror attack against Israeli civilians was thwarted, thanks to the bravery of IDF soldiers,” Bluth said. “Unfortunately, we paid a heavy price during the encounter, and two combat soldiers fell in battle.” He offered condolences to the families of the fallen.​

The IDF identified the slain soldiers as Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, from Ashkelon, and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, from Hod Hasharon. Both served in the Home Front Command’s 775th “Ari” Search and Rescue Battalion. Three other soldiers from the unit were lightly wounded. Israeli forces killed the two Palestinian gunmen during a firefight lasting more than 20 minutes.​

Bluth emphasized the military’s role as “the protective shield of Israeli civilians,” noting that troops put their lives on the line to prevent the attack. He said the IDF was launching a significant counterterrorism operation and imposing a cordon on the areas of Hebron and Halhul. “We will bring all terrorists to justice and dismantle terrorist infrastructure of all kinds,” he said.​

Military assessments indicated the attackers, both from Hebron, arrived in a vehicle with Israeli license plates and were armed with an assault rifle and a handgun. A large quantity of ammunition was found in the vehicle, which officials said suggested the gunmen had intended a larger-scale attack on civilians along Route 35. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered broader closures across the Judea-Samaria in response.

The incident occurred days before Israel’s national elections. Security forces continued operations in the area following the attack.​